Programming - Costuming track

[Runa]

I'm VP of the Greater Portland Area Costumers' Guild, and am willing to help out presenting some of the costuming-related panels. Who do I speak with?

[Sheltie]

I would try e-mailing one of the Kumori con staff, like the general message or vollunteering e-mails.  They would most likely tell you what you want to know (I'm pretty sure, at least!).

Sheltie

[princessfrodo]

Do you have a web site?  I would love to get some hints for making costumes! ^.^

[EvilMonkey]

You'll want to get in touch with our programming director.  We will eventually have a specific panels coordinator, but as of yet people have been too chicken to volunteer for that position.
programming@kumoricon.org

[Runa]

You'll want to get in touch with our programming director.  We will eventually have a specific panels coordinator, but as of yet people have been too chicken to volunteer for that position.
programming@kumoricon.org

Thanks for the info. I'll email programming@kumoricon.org and see what that person says.

I personally don't have a website, but the Guild does: http://www.robewarriors.com . The Guild meets on Tuesdays at various members' houses and we work on costumes. Join the Guild's yahoo list (gpacg-general) for costuming discussions... or better yet, join the Guild, attend the meetings and get TONS of costuming help/info from members who are experts...

[SailorNaboo]

Hi Runa!

I'm the Cosplay Director again this year, but my focus is limited to the Cosplay (masquerade) Competition.  The competition is skit based and does allow (with full disclosure) purchased and pieced together costumes.

For the people that do make their own costumes that take part in this competition, we do have costume judging.  I can not even beging to express how honored I would be if people from your group would consider taking on the costume quality judging!  I am an above average anime cosplay seamstress myself, but in terms of World Con standards, I think I've only made a few pieces that would show some promise at the lowest levels!  

I hope to have more information as to the scheduling of the events over the next few weeks so members of your group will be able to make a more informed decision.  If there are willing members, we can also discuss the types of reference materials you would like the contestants to bring.  There will be pre-registration for the cosplay and we can use that information as a guide to see what kind of catagories are needed.

I'd also love to give your group some of the Hall Cosplay ribbons to present to costumers that catch their eye in the hallway.

[Runa]

Well, I mentioned this to our president, Brenna and she sounded interested. I'm not sure how many members will be at KumoriCon, but I'll look into it. Right now, the only guild member that I know will be present is ME..... We have monthly business meetings (as opposed to weekly stitch 'n' Bitch), and I'll bring up the idea of the guild doing hall costume awards for KumoriCon at our business meeting (of course, that would eliminate me from getting an award. Pfooie). The next biz meeting will be May 11th. If any KumoriCon person wishes to attend, it would be helpful
:-)  Data on location for meetings and Stitch'n'Bitch are listed on our website (http://www.robewarriors.com).

We'd need to know how much of a time commitment it would be for the Cosplay judging...I have avoided the cosplay at SakuraCon because it required participants to simply say good bye to all of the Saturday activities and I have too much fun at cons to give up all of one of the days.

-Runa

[princessfrodo]

Yeah, I'm kinda looking for somone to help me build my Temari costume, as I have no sewing machine (though my Dad's gf has offered hers for use) and am a complete klutz at actually MAKING things fit. ^.^;

Kenders a costume designer do not make. ^.^;

[SailorNaboo]

Well, I mentioned this to our president, Brenna and she sounded interested. I'm not sure how many members will be at KumoriCon, but I'll look into it.

and I'll bring up the idea of the guild doing hall costume awards for KumoriCon at our business meeting (of course, that would eliminate me from getting an award. Pfooie).

We'd need to know how much of a time commitment it would be for the Cosplay judging...I have avoided the cosplay at SakuraCon because it required participants to simply say good bye to all of the Saturday activities and I have too much fun at cons to give up all of one of the days.
-Runa

Hall cosplay would be a very small time commitment.  This would just be a matter of having Hall Cosplay ribbons and a notepad with you at times and when you observe someone that you would like to reward, double checking that the person (or someone at the con) made the costume and then taking down the person's name and character name, giving them the ribbon on the spot, and thanking them for sharing their costume with us.

As for the Masquerade judging, here is what I attempted to do last year.  There was a mix up, butI intend to personally escort the cosplayers to the correct location once they are off stage this year.  After performing, cosplayers that have made their own costumes FROM SCRATCH will be lead to a seperate judging area where costume judges can ask questions and examine the costumes.  It's my guess that there will most likely be two levels (something like beginner and novice, anything truly qualifying for higher by competition should be exhibition unless there are enough additional entries of that level).

I won't be able to make it to a Portland meeting until after the Spring school term has ended, but we could work out the details at this time.  I'd love to figure out a way to get the most experienced sewing judges possible without people like that having to give up their whole day.

[Runa]

Well, it sounds like we could do the hall costume stuff. Who will make the ribbons that we're supposed to hand out, and how many ribbons do we get?

Even if it's just me from the Guild handing out the ribbons, that sounds like it wouldn't be too much ... I have a tendancy to wear many different costumes throughout a con (at least 5 - 8 costumes...depends upon my mood and excuses -- like shoes hurting -- to go change yet again), so people won't be able to tell others that a person dressed as a particular character is handing them out.

As for the Masquerade, if we're just spending the time during the Masquerade doing the judging, that'll be fine (I was fearing having to spend the whole day hanging out watching and rewatching all the rehearsals...ghack).

Right now, given typical fen budgets and the fact that GPACG will be doing stuff for OryCon, which is a month after KumoriCon, I'm not sure who else from the Guild will be attending. You're welcome to join the GPACG-general yahoo list and encourage people to go to KumoriCon.  :-)  Our next biz meeting is next Tuesday [5/11], and I should be able to find out who else is at least considering attending KumoriCon. If it's just me, you'll certainly need others to judge (try to grab Melissa Quinn of Fairy Fingers if you can....she's a Seattle person, though) because it's better to have 3 judges since all those eyes will more easily see all that needs to be seen.

-Runa

[SailorNaboo]

I judged with Melissa in 2002.  If she is attending, I plan on approaching her.  Things are kind of nuts right now with school, but when I get some time, I think I will take your suggestion and join the mailing list.  

The Masquerade volunteers and presentation people will be the ones putting in the hours related to putting on a good show.  I plan on treating talented construction judges with the same kind of respect that I'd treat a con guest with.  Unless, of course, they want to be involved with the whole process!  I would like some help at a pre-con meeting in coming up with construction judging sheets, but that's about it.

[Runa]

Well, it looks like there will be 3 GPACG members attending (the president, Brenna; the secretary, Vincent; and vicepresident, ME). So, have you decided on what to have in costuming track? Do you need suggestions for panels? How can we help?

-Runa  

[Yuki_Yue]

We could do specifit tutorial style panels *smiles* Like how to make wings or some other things like that, you could also have general tips and tricks as well. Panels are up for suggestions at the moment.

[TomtheFanboy]

Hey Runa? Does your Guild have a way that people can contact the guild and commision pieces from costumers nearby?

I found a seamstress but the key pieces are a little more complicated.

[SailorNaboo]

Yuki_Yue is handling the panels, so I'm sure you will be able to work out together and come up with some great presentations and discussions.

As far as the Masquerade is concerned, I would love to invite the three of you to take on the construction judging.  After the contestants have performed, I will be personally walking the ones that have entered the construction portion of the contest to the construction judges for that portion of the judging.  We could even make it clear that "Costume Construction Judging is provided by 'Robe Warriers' with a link to your URL.  I'd also like to design the judging forms to the specifications that will make things easiest for us.  I'll jump on your Yahoo group to make planning eassier.  You'll have ribbons and certificats (plus additional little prizes to give) and you can have imput into the naming of the awards.

[Yuki_Yue]

*nods* if you're interested in a panel you could send me a PM or even an email, I'll also be posting a panel thread soon to see who among the forum members is already interested in getting a panel together.